“We want to amplify the voice of the people concerned throughout France”

Coordinator of the Toulouse association AlimEco, a local Carav’Alim group, Nahuel Angelinetti tells us about the structuring of the movement from the grassroots as well as its roadmap to advance the right to food. An ambitious and concrete project, in which the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, which supports it, fully identifies itself.

What is the origin of the AlimEco association?

AlimEco was born in March 2021 in the working-class district of Bagatelle, in Toulouse. For more than 50 years, the Maison de quartier has been bringing a dynamic of self-management to life. In particular, during Ramadan, it organizes the “Chorba for all” initiative: every evening, at the time of breaking the fast, a full meal is offered to the inhabitants of the neighborhood. In 2020, the first lockdown prevented this action from taking place, while aggravating food insecurity situations. As a matter of urgency, the community centre has set up food parcel distributions, in conjunction with social centres, solidarity centres and other associative partners. At the end of 2020, the mobilized people decided to create an association to organize this action in the long term. Thus was born AlimEco, whose ambition is to provide access to healthy, sustainable and quality food for and by all in the priority district of Grand Mirail, with a view not only to aid, but to food democracy.

How did AlimEco participate in the creation of the Carav’Alim movement?

The integration of AlimEco into Carav’Alim was a continuation of our work with the Territoire à vivreS collective, which had supported us in structuring our associative project. In 2024, during the prefiguration phase of the movement, we were asked to host the Toulouse stage and mobilize other local actors involved in the working-class neighborhoods of Toulouse. This event allowed us to collectively discuss our expectations of such an initiative. AlimEco then participated in the working groups that led to the creation of Carav’Alim. Our association is now a member of the movement’s steering committee, where it ensures that the voices of those affected are heard. We also participate in the working group on learning visits, which will allow those directly affected to share their experiences, and in the working group on the “loudspeaker of food injustices”.

What does the Carav’Alim movement bring to AlimEco, and what are the prospects?

The Carav’Alim movement enables AlimEco to strengthen its legitimacy in the eyes of institutions and funders, as well as to connect with a national network. This encourages the exchange of tools, methods and ideas to improve our practices, while enabling those concerned to express their views on their realities and participate in the construction of a political discourse. It also helps the association’s members to learn about advocacy issues and to understand how to raise their demands collectively. Last but not least, participation in Carav’Alim strengthens the collective approach we have developed with the Bagatelle/ASSQOT social center, our long-standing partner and supporter, and motivates us to extend the movement to other local players involved in the fight against food injustice. More generally, with Carav’Alim, we want to create a movement, amplify the voices of those concerned throughout France, and make a collective plea to public authorities. By giving a voice to those directly affected by food insecurity, we hope to become a legitimate voice that is listened to by policymakers.

©AlimEco